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3-year-old, 3-month-old killed in Clay County mobile home fire

The fire was reported around 8:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of West State Road 340.

BRAZIL, Indiana — Authorities in Clay County confirm two children died Wednesday evening in a mobile home fire.

According to our news partners at WTWO, the fire department responded to a report of a fire around 8:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of West State Road 340, just west of Brazil.

RELATED: IFD: 20 displaced, firefighter slightly injured in fire at southeast side apartment complex

Thursday night, our partners at the Tribune-Star reported the children have been identified as 3-year-old Athena Holdbrook and 3-month-old Aries Romine Holdbrook.

“There are still a lot of unanswered questions and conflicting stories, we can’t say anything yet on a cause. We’re trying to get our information right, we just don’t know.” Posey Twp Fire Chief Cody Barnard said.

Barnard said they got assistance from multiple agencies in fighting the fire. The state fire marshal was also called to investigate.

Neighbor Michael Roberts Muhammad said he was with the family in the afternoon and ran to the home when he heard shouting. 

“Tried to go into the front door, but the heat was so overwhelming, and the smoke was so overwhelming. It was like I was being pushed back out. I tried to go back in twice, but I couldn’t get in. I couldn’t do anything but fall on my knees and pray,” Muhammad told WTWO.

RELATED: Family of 9 displaced by east side house fire, firefighter slightly injured

The Red Cross is assisting the family. 

“Pray for the family, pray for us neighbors because we are not okay and we are struggling. Hold your babies tight and protect them,” neighbor Ashley Bratcher said.

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